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Thyroid issues potentially stirring up cholesterol problems?

Worry over statins' side effects like muscle pain, kidney issues, and doubled dementia risk is understandable. Yet, focusing on reducing high cholesterol levels with statins alone may not address the underlying issue. This is because cholesterol problems could originate in a small gland, the...

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Wariness towards statins is understandable due to potential side effects like muscle pain, kidney...
Wariness towards statins is understandable due to potential side effects like muscle pain, kidney issues, increased dementia risk, and the possibility that high cholesterol levels stem from a small gland producing vital hormones, rather than blood vessels. Furthermore, merely targeting cholesterol with statins may not address the underlying issue.

Thyroid issues potentially stirring up cholesterol problems?

Living with high cholesterol levels? Statin medication, a common treatment, might not be the only solution, according to recent research.

Statins, a popular cholesterol-lowering medication, have been under scrutiny due to potential side effects. Among them is muscle pain, a common complaint from those who have taken the drugs. Aside from this, statins may pose risks to the kidneys, even leading to diabetes, and possibly double the risk of dementia.

Contrary to the conventional approach of targeting cholesterol through blood vessel treatment, the thyroid gland could be the real culprit. This tiny, butterfly-shaped gland, responsible for producing essential hormones, could be the root cause of high cholesterol levels.

Numerous clinical studies have revealed a direct connection between the thyroid gland and cholesterol levels. Thyroid hormones have a significant impact on lipid levels and treating patients with these hormones can improve their lipid profiles.

The Mayo Clinic supports this, stating that an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, can increase the risk of heart disease, primarily due to high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or 'bad' cholesterol. surprisingly, when low thyroid function is addressed, cholesterol levels often return to normal.

Recent research indicates that thyroid hormones affect other metabolic pathways via a feedback loop. When this loop is working optimally, everything functions well. However, dysregulation of this loop can lead to issues related to liver function, bone development, and cardiovascular problems, particularly in relation to lipid profiles or cholesterol levels.

A team of scientists from the Department of Cardiology at Peking University analyzed the genotype data of thousands of people from two genome-wide association studies and found that two specific thyroid levels are associated with cholesterol problems. Low TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels are indicative of cholesterol issues, and an off balance FT3:FT4 ratio (ratio of free triiodothyronine to ratio of free thyroxin) can result in elevated total cholesterol levels, including LDL, or 'bad' cholesterol.

If you find that your cholesterol levels remain high despite your best efforts, it could be worth getting your thyroid checked. Keep in mind that there are reasons your doctor might miss thyroid issues, so be persistent. Ask for your TSH level to be checked, and request your FT3:FT4 ratio.

To optimize thyroid function, consider focusing on a diet rich in nutrients that support healthy thyroid function. Among these nutrients are iodine, L-tyrosine, selenium, zinc, copper, and ashwagandha root. Foods rich in these nutrients include pastured beef, eggs from free-range chickens, fish and shellfish, cheese and dairy, leafy greens, colorful vegetables, grains such as brown rice, oats, and buckwheat, healthy oils like olive oil, and more.

If your doctor cannot order a thyroid panel of tests for you, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who can.

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Sources:

Genetic analysis technique finds missing link between thyroid function and lipid profile - EurekAlert!

  1. Thyroid hormones, which significantly impact lipid levels, may be the root cause of high cholesterol levels, according to various clinical studies.
  2. If your cholesterol levels remain high despite your best efforts, it could be worth getting your thyroid checked, especially if your doctor overlooks potential thyroid issues.
  3. Numerous nutrients, such as iodine, L-tyrosine, selenium, zinc, copper, and ashwagandha root, support healthy thyroid function and can be found in foods like pastured beef, eggs, fish, leafy greens, and healthy oils.
  4. When low thyroid function is addressed, cholesterol levels often return to normal, as indicated by the Mayo Clinic, suggesting that the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in cholesterol regulation.
  5. Recent research suggests that certain thyroid levels, such as low TSH and an imbalanced FT3:FT4 ratio, are associated with cholesterol problems, including elevated total cholesterol and LDL levels.

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